Shattered Lives by Phoenix Wolfe

Author:Phoenix Wolfe [PHOENIX WOLFE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phoenix Wolfe
Published: 2024-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MARK

Something’s up with Charlie after work. I keep trying to strike up a conversation, but all I get are one-word answers. It continues all through dinner. I try to draw her out, but I’m getting nowhere.

After watching her pick at her food the entire meal, I can’t stand it any longer. “Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you, or are we going to keep pretending you’re fine?”

Charlie shakes her head. “Sorry, I’m just tired.”

“Bullshit. You’ve spent fifteen minutes pushing that same bite of chicken around.”

She shakes her head again. “I’m working through some stuff in my head. I'm sorry. I’ll be more present.”

I frown. “I’m not asking you to be more present. I’m asking what’s wrong. Maybe I can help.”

She looks up, and the sadness in her eyes startles me. “I’m not sure this is fixable.”

I wait patiently, but she just sits there, staring at her plate. I finally speak when it becomes clear she doesn’t intend to. “I can sit here all night, and I know where you sleep, so spit it out. What’s on your mind? ”

She looks at me uncertainly. “I’m not sure this is something I can discuss with you.”

Charlie and I talk about anything and everything, so I can’t imagine what could make her this uncomfortable. I try to lighten the mood.

“Is this about menstrual cycles? Because I know a surprising amount. It’s part of leading a platoon that includes women of childbearing age. I can even discuss feminine hygiene products. There's some you can launch like a rocket, and some that have wings like a jet.” I smile broadly and puff out my chest. “Not to brag, but I do have a working knowledge of these things.”

My teasing works, and she laughs. “No, it’s not about my cycle, but it’s delightful to know I can come to you with those issues.”

I smile. And wait. And wait some more.

She’s still not talking.

“You know, it’s easier to help when you actually share what’s bothering you.”

She bites her lip.

I gesture toward my room. “I have a drawer full of socks. We could turn them into puppets if it would help.”

“You just won't give up,” she mutters. “Alright, but when this gets awkward, remember, I tried to spare you.”

Finally. I grin and lean back. “Duly noted.”

“Ok, ever since – what happened – I’ve had trust issues.” I nod. “Lila’s been encouraging me to date, to not let my fear control me. I joined a dating website, and she’d pick guys for me to go out with.”

“How’d that go?”

She laughs without humor. “Awful. A couple of guys immediately said they weren’t interested in someone with that much baggage. More than one called me ‘damaged goods’. A few assured me they could ‘fix me’. One offered to take me straight back to his place to remind me how great sex could be, to get me over my ‘hang-ups’. I went out with at least twenty different men, and they all sucked in varying degrees.”

I’m instantly pissed. They

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